The most modern and most powerful destroyers on the planet -- the U.S. Navy's Zumwalt class -- are expected to see service in the Pacific Ocean once these fantastic ships armed with electromagnetic railguns become operational by the next decade.

The first ship of this class, the USS Zumwalt (DDG-1000), successfully underwent a series of hull, mechanical and engineering (HM&E) trials to uncover bugs in its first-of-its-kind Integrated Propulsion System. This system generates 80,000 megawatts, more than enough power to fire an electromagnetic railgun.

Like Us on Facebook

Once other sea trials are successfully completed, the USS Zumwalt will head for the Pacific Ocean to complete the activation of its combat systems. The destroyer will be home-ported at Naval Base San Diego in California, principal homeport of the United States Pacific Fleet consisting of 50 ships.

The Pacific Fleet has command over the U.S. Navy Third Fleet defending the West Coast and the Seventh Fleet in Asia.

The U.S. Navy's Naval Sea System Command (NAVSEA) is studying the feasibility of adding an electromagnetic railgun to the USS Lyndon B. Johnson (DDG-1002), the third Zumwalt-class destroyer, said Vice Adm. William Hilarides, NAVSEA commander.

Adm. Hilarides said the studies will determine if the Zumwalt-class will have the space and power to deploy a railgun. Once deployed, the railgun will probably replace the 155 mm gun mounted ahead of the ship's deck house.

"We have begun real studies -- as opposed to just a bunch of guys sitting around -- real engineering studies are being done to make sure it's possible," said Adm. Hilarides.

He said the USS Lyndon B. Johnson is currently being built at General Dynamics' Bath Iron Works and has an expected delivery date in 2018.

The railgun to be mounted on DDG-1002 will have a range of over 160 km and will fire special hypervelocity rounds. Future rounds will be self-guided, and the first tests of this capability will take place this summer.

TagsUSS Zumwalt, electromagnetic railgun, United States Pacific Fleet, Vice Adm. William Hilaride, china, USS Lyndon B. Johnson